Dr vs. Doctor — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 15, 2024
"Dr" is an abbreviation for "Doctor," commonly used as a title in written and spoken contexts, whereas "Doctor" is the full term used to denote someone with a doctoral degree or medical professional.
Difference Between Dr and Doctor
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Dr" is a widely accepted abbreviation of the title "Doctor," used primarily in informal or space-limited contexts. On the other hand, "Doctor" is the complete word and is typically used in formal writings, such as diplomas, invitations, and official documents.
While "Dr" is often placed before the name as a form of address or in correspondence (e.g., Dr. Smith), "Doctor" can be used both as a form of address and as a noun that refers to someone who holds a doctoral degree or is a medical practitioner. For example, someone might say, "I am seeing my doctor today."
The abbreviation "Dr" serves a practical function in everyday communication, saving space and time in writing. Conversely, the use of "Doctor" can emphasize formality and respect, particularly in professional or academic settings.
"Dr" is suitable for both academic and medical professionals who hold a doctorate, such as a Ph.D., MD, DDS, or DVM. In contrast, "Doctor" explicitly refers to an individual's qualifications and is often associated with a higher level of authority or expertise.
The choice between "Dr" and "Doctor" can also reflect cultural norms or personal preference. In many English-speaking countries, "Dr" is commonly used in verbal communication and routine writing, while "Doctor" might be reserved for contexts where formalities are upheld.
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Comparison Chart
Full Form
Abbreviation for "Doctor"
Complete term for someone with a doctorate
Usage
Common in informal contexts and correspondence
Used in formal contexts and when full respect is intended
Implication
Practical, space-saving
Formal, authoritative
Applicability
Both academic and medical fields
Primarily medical or when referring to academic achievements
Cultural Perception
Casual, widely accepted
Formal, denotes high qualification or respect
Compare with Definitions
Dr
Formal address in emails and letters.
Dear Dr. Thompson.
Doctor
Medical professional who diagnoses and treats illnesses.
My doctor advised more exercise for better health.
Dr
Used as a title for individuals with a doctoral degree.
Dr. Emily White, Ph.D., will review the manuscript.
Doctor
Refers to one with a high level of expertise.
The symposium featured several doctors in the field of genetics.
Dr
Abbreviation for Doctor.
Dr. Jones will be speaking at the conference.
Doctor
A title for someone who has earned a doctoral degree.
As a Doctor of Philosophy, she specializes in medieval literature.
Dr
Prefix for names in professional correspondence.
Please forward the report to Dr. Greene.
Doctor
Used formally in academia and healthcare.
The award was presented to Doctor Lee.
Dr
Title for medical practitioners.
Dr. Patel has a new practice.
Doctor
Often used when specifying the type of doctor.
He is a doctor of dental surgery.
Dr
(accounting) debtor, debit
Doctor
A person who is licensed to practice medicine and has trained at a school of medicine or a school of osteopathic medicine; a physician.
Doctor
Any of certain other healthcare professionals, such as a dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or veterinarian.
Doctor
A practitioner of alternative medicine or folk medicine who does not have traditional medical credentials.
Doctor
A person who has earned the highest academic degree, usually a PhD, awarded by a college or university in a specified discipline.
Doctor
A person awarded an honorary degree by a college or university.
Doctor
Abbr. Dr. Used as a title and form of address for a person holding the degree of doctor.
Doctor
Roman Catholic Church An eminent theologian.
Doctor
A rig or device contrived for remedying an emergency situation or for doing a special task.
Doctor
(Informal) To give medical treatment to
"[He] does more than practice medicine. He doctors people. There's a difference" (Charles Kuralt).
Doctor
To repair, especially in a makeshift manner; rig.
Doctor
To falsify or change in such a way as to make favorable to oneself
Doctored the evidence.
Doctor
To add ingredients so as to improve or conceal the taste, appearance, or quality of
Doctor the soup with a dash of sherry.
Doctor
To alter or modify for a specific end
Doctored my standard speech for the small-town audience.
Doctor
(Baseball) To deface or apply a substance to (the ball) in violation of the rules in order to throw a pitch with extraordinary movement
Was ejected because he doctored the ball with a piece of sandpaper.
Doctor
To practice medicine.
Doctor
A physician; a member of the medical profession; one who is trained and licensed to heal the sick or injured. The final examination and qualification may award a doctor degree in which case the post-nominal letters are D.O., DPM, M.D., DMD, DDS, in the US or MBBS in the UK.
If you still feel unwell tomorrow, see your doctor.
Doctor
A person who has attained a doctorate, such as a Ph.D. or Th.D. or one of many other terminal degrees conferred by a college or university.
Doctor
A veterinarian; a medical practitioner who treats non-human animals.
Doctor
A nickname for a person who has special knowledge or talents to manipulate or arrange transactions.
Doctor
(obsolete) A teacher; one skilled in a profession or a branch of knowledge; a learned man.
Doctor
(dated) Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency.
The doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous colouring matter
The doctor, or auxiliary engine, also called "donkey engine"
Doctor
A fish, the friar skate.
Doctor
A ship's cook.
Doctor
(transitive) To act as a medical doctor to.
Her children doctored her back to health.
Doctor
To act as a medical doctor.
Doctor
(transitive) To make (someone) into an (academic) doctor; to confer a doctorate upon.
Doctor
(transitive) To physically alter (medically or surgically) a living being in order to change growth or behavior.
They doctored their apple trees by vigorous pruning, and now the dwarfed trees are easier to pick.
We may legally doctor a pet to reduce its libido.
Doctor
(transitive) To genetically alter an extant species.
Mendel's discoveries showed how the evolution of a species may be doctored.
Doctor
(transitive) To alter or make obscure, as with the intention to deceive, especially a document.
To doctor the signature of an instrument with intent to defraud is an example of forgery.
Doctor
To take medicine.
Doctor
A teacher; one skilled in a profession, or branch of knowledge; a learned man.
One of the doctors of Italy, Nicholas Macciavel.
Doctor
An academical title, originally meaning a man so well versed in his department as to be qualified to teach it. Hence: One who has taken the highest degree conferred by a university or college, or has received a diploma of the highest degree; as, a doctor of divinity, of law, of medicine, of music, or of philosophy. Such diplomas may confer an honorary title only.
Doctor
Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency; as, the doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous coloring matter; the doctor, or auxiliary engine, called also donkey engine.
Doctor
The friar skate.
Doctor
To treat as a physician does; to apply remedies to; to repair; as, to doctor a sick man or a broken cart.
Doctor
To confer a doctorate upon; to make a doctor.
Doctor
To practice physic.
Doctor
A licensed medical practitioner;
I felt so bad I went to see my doctor
Doctor
(Roman Catholic Church) a title conferred on 33 saints who distinguished themselves through the othodoxy of their theological teaching;
The Doctors of the Church greatly influenced Christian thought down to the late Middle Ages
Doctor
Children take the roles of doctor or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the doctor's office;
The children explored each other's bodies by playing the game of doctor
Doctor
A person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution;
She is a doctor of philosophy in physics
Doctor
Alter and make impure, as with the intention to deceive;
Sophisticate rose water with geraniol
Doctor
Give medical treatment to
Doctor
Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;
She repaired her TV set
Repair my shoes please
Common Curiosities
Is it correct to use 'Dr' before someone's name?
Yes, it is common to use 'Dr' as a title before the names of individuals who hold a doctoral degree.
Can 'Doctor' be used for someone with a Ph.D.?
Yes, 'Doctor' can be used for anyone who has earned a doctoral degree, not just medical doctors.
Is a dentist referred to as 'Dr'?
Yes, dentists are often referred to as 'Dr' since they usually hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
What is the proper way to write a doctor's title in an email?
In an email, it is appropriate to address a doctor as 'Dr. [Last Name]' in the salutation.
What does 'Dr' stand for?
'Dr' is the abbreviation for 'Doctor.'
What's the difference in using 'Dr' for academics versus clinicians?
There is no difference in the abbreviation used; however, the context might influence whether the full term 'Doctor' is preferable for clarity.
Why might someone use 'Doctor' instead of 'Dr'?
Using 'Doctor' instead of 'Dr' can be a way to convey formality or emphasize professional respect.
Are there different types of doctors?
Yes, there are many types of doctors, including medical doctors, doctors of philosophy, and doctors in other specialized fields.
How do you address a veterinarian?
A veterinarian can be addressed as 'Dr' followed by their name, as they typically hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
Can the title 'Doctor' refer to non-medical fields?
Yes, the title 'Doctor' is also used in academia and other professional fields beyond medicine.
Can I use 'Dr' in a formal invitation?
Yes, 'Dr' is commonly used in formal invitations to save space while still conveying respect.
Who can legally use the title 'Doctor'?
Legally, the title 'Doctor' can be used by anyone who has earned a doctoral degree from an accredited institution.
Is 'Doctor' used internationally?
Yes, 'Doctor' is used internationally, though the exact qualifications and implications can vary by country.
What should I use on a diploma, 'Dr' or 'Doctor'?
On diplomas, the full term 'Doctor' is generally used to denote the achievement formally.
Does the abbreviation 'Dr' include a period in British English?
In British English, 'Dr' is usually written without a period.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
